DIY Network

Personal Touch: What's In Your Closet? From "Blueprint for Home Building" episode DBHB-211

In this third segment of "Personal Touch" host Jeff Wilson takes an in-depth look at built-in storage options, including walk-in and reach-in closets, for your home office and garage space.

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Figure A

Thus far in this episode Jeff has talked about choosing an interior designer as well as applying a number of design concepts to your home. Now it's time to talk about something that most homeowners never have enough of -- storage space.

Even though there never seems to be enough storage space in new homes, many times the larger houses will have leftover spaces of one sort or another and these spaces should always be thought of as potential closet areas (figure A). Smaller houses need to consider closet space as part of the design from the beginning.

Planning a Walk-In Closet

The dream of most homeowners is a walk-in closet (figure B) or closets. You best scenario is to have an 8' ceiling in a walk-in closet because that means there will be a top shelf that runs along the perimeter of the closet 84" high. And from the top shelf you can have a series of different setups.

• For example, you can have an island (figure C) because it gives you additional drawers in the closet. It also leaves space to fold your clothes on the countertop, and you can put hampers in the island as well.

• Belt and tie racks are another way to conserve space.

• Valet rods also come in handy when you're getting ready to go out or if you're dressing garment bag to go away on a trip.

Figure B

Figure C

Figure D

Reach-In Closet

When you have minimal storage needs, consider installing a reach-in closet, which is what closet companies use to describe a closet that you use to access by-fold drawers or sliding doors -- but it's essentially just one wall of closet.

Note: Another important aspect architecturally about the reach-in closet is that the depth from the back to the front of the closet should be a minimum of 24" from the back of the hangers (figure D).

More Storage Options

Venturing out into the rest of the house, there's storage space in the linen closet and laundry room. The linen closet should be deeper because blankets are thicker when folded. When you're thinking about storage in the laundry room, consider the following:

• Where are the detergents going to go?

• Do you want hanging space (figure E) for clothing that comes out of the dryer?

• How about a wall-hung ironing board that could be placed inside a cabinet.

• You'll need countertop space in the laundry room for sure.

• And what about a tilt-out hamper, which could really come in handy?

• And don't forget a popular item -- the valet rod (figure F).

Figure E

Figure F

	Figure G
	Figure H
	Figure I

Efficient use of storage space helps to organize the kitchen as well, and when you think about a pantry (figure G) there are a lot of different things to consider:

• What about pull-out drawers for convenience?

• What about a place to hang things such as a broom, dust pail, etc.?

• Did you know that some pantries even have a refrigerator? It's true.

Another organized use of space is to plan a home office (figure H) for you and your family's needs. You can even consider cordless phones and headsets -- and what about a laptop that you can just cart around the whole house?

There are some standard measurements that will help when you're planning your home office:

• You definitely want to figure out how much of the room you want to use for your desk, and within that measurement make sure you include approximately 32"-36" of knee space when you're sitting.

• Your desk height should be approximately 28" to 29", which allows you a keyboard tray pull-out.

• Don't forget to measure for filing cabinets, which are 14" to 15" wide for letter size and 18" wide for legal size folders.

Finally, who doesn't need some solutions for the way to organize the garage? Garages are similar to any other storage room, in that you need to figure out how much you intend to put into the garage -- and if you're going to put one or two vehicles in there.

Full standard-size cabinets that are 24" deep (figure I) work well in garages, along with peg boards above. You must take into account the garage-door mechanisms, water heaters and everything else you might find in a garage.

For more information on organizing your garage, click here for an episode of Weekend Handyman.

To learn more about maximizing your closet space through organization, click here for tips on closet expansion.

And for even more information on organizing your home, click here for DIY's "Organize Your Home" content package.

In the final segment of "Personal Touch" examines your future housing plans and the adaptability of your current home in case your family expands or if you need to downsize.

GUESTS :

Benjamin Clavan
Architect, AIA
E-mail: benjamic@earthink.net

Linda Brettler
Architect
Phone: 323-935-3999
E-mail: lindabrettler@sbcglobal.net

John Harmon
Licensed Contractor
Specialized Services
PO Box 1377
Sunset Beach, CA 90742-1377
Phone: 562-592-3831
E-mail: SpecEmail@aol.com

Pierre Abboud
Designer/Sales
We apologize no further information is available.

Skip Weahunt
Homeowner
E-mail: skip@ownerbuildercenter.com

Bob Miller
CMTS
E-mail: robertmillerpe@comcast.net

Jody Cukier Seigler
Interior Designer
951 North Bristol Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90049
Phone: 310-476-1286
E-mail: jodycs@yahoo.com

Igor Orlovsky
Contracting Consultant
E-mail: heyigor@sbcglobal.net

Pamela Volante
Interior Designer, Lighting Designer
Volante Planning and Design
269 S. Beverly Dr.
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Phone: 310-968-6505
E-mail: pamelavol@aol.com

Channing Swift
Contracting Superintendent
2047 Morley St.
Simi, CA 93065
Phone: 310-279-6865
E-mail: xrysto@adelphia.net

Glen Siegel
Director of Halo Marketing
Cooper Lighting
1174 Hwy 74 S.
Peachtree City, GA 30269
Phone: 770-486-5288
E-mail: gsiegel@cooperlighting.com

Dana Pucillo
Design Consultant
California Closets
1735 Stewart St., Suite A
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Phone: 310.566-3280
E-mail: dpucillo@calclosets.com
Website: www.calclosets.com

Douglas Kerr
Contractor
E-mail: dougkerr@pacbell.net